Apparatus for treating water



May 13, 1952 5,. 2,596,822

APPARATUS FOR TREATING WATER I F1166. March 3, 1949 INVENTOR.

Patented May 13, 1952 APPARATUS FOR TREATING WATER Eric Pick, East Rockaway, N. Y., assignor to The Permutit Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application March 3, 1949, Serial No. 79,389

7 Claims. 1

This invention relates to apparatus for treating water or other aqueous solutions of electrolytes byion exchange in general and especially suited for softening water by cation exchange, and is an improvement on my co-pending application Serial No. 40,528, filed July 24, 1948. V

One of the objects of the present invention is toprovide a novel apparatus which is so constructed as not to require a multiplicity of manual valve actuations in itsoperation and use and which at the same time is compact, eficient and inexpensive to manufacture.

Another object is to provide for such apparatus diaphragm valves to control the various flows, and pilot valve meansto control the operation of said diaphragm valves,

Still another object is to provide a hydraulic suction producing device to control the operation of diaphragm valves.

The manner in which the above and further objects and novel features of this invention are achieved will appear more fully from the accompanying drawings and the following detailed description.

In the drawings, in which similar reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views: 7 I

Fig. l is a diagrammatic view, partly in cross section, of one form of my invention showing an ion exchange apparatus in service position; and

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1, but showing a modified apparatus in regenerating position.

Referring now to Fig. 1 diagrammatically showing an apparatus in accordance withmy invention in service position, a tank contains a bed 3| of granular ion exchange material or zeolite and is provided with a bottom distributor 32 the inside of which isin communication with a pipe 33 leading to the outside, of the tank. On top of the tank 30 is mounted alregenerant chamber 4| havinga bottom 42. Within the tank 30 below the regenerant chamber 4| is a separating plate 36 carryinga collector 31 which'is in communication with a compartment 38 formed between the plate 38. and the bottom 42. To the compartment 38 is connected a pipe 33. Over the irusto-coni- 2 overflow weir. From the head box 45 a pipe leads to waste. At a level somewhat below the level of orifice 45 and connecting the chamber 4| with the pipe 50 is a pipe 52 which is fitted with a small orifice or weep hole 5 I v Flow through the apparatus is controlled by a solenoid valve 54 which in turn, directly or indirectly, controls six diaphragm valves 55, 56, 51, 58. 59 and Referring specifically to the reference numerals on valve 51 of Fig. 1, each of these diaphragm valves has a diaphragm 63 separating a pressure chamber 64 from a valve chamber 65. In the valve chamber 65 is a central port 56 adapted to be opened and closed by the diaphragm 53, and a lateral port 51 which is always open. A spring 68 is provided in valves 55, 56, 51 and 5|], which through a plate 69 presses against the diaphragm 63, tending to force the diaphragm 63 against the central port 66 to close it.

A supply pipe 10 has branches connected with the central ports of diaphragm valves 55, 51 and 60 as well as with an ejector 9|] having an inlet nozzle 9|, an outlet nozzle 92, and a suction chamber 93. The outlet nozzle 32 is adapted to discharge into a pipe 12 in communication with'the solenoid valve 54, and the suction'chamber 93 is connected with a branched control pipe system ll which is in communication with the pressure chambers of the diaphragm valves 51, 58, 59 and 60. Another control pipe 14 has branches connected with the latera1 port of diaphragm valve 60, with the pressure chambers of diaphragm valves 55 and ,56 and with an orifice which isarranged to discharge into a pipe '16 having a branch connection with the solenoid valve 54 and leading to the head box 45. The .pipe 33 leading fromthe distributor 32 has branches connected with the lateral port of diaphragm valve 55 and the central port of diaphragm'valve 59. The" pipe 39 leading from the compartment 38 has'two branches, one connected with the lateral port of valve 56 and the other with the central port of valve 58. The pipe 44 leads from thechamber 4| to the lateral port of valve 58.; Thewaste pipe 55 has a branch in communication with the lateral port of valve 59. A service pipe 18 leading to a point of use has branches connected with the lateral port of valve 51 andthe central'port of valve 56. v

A time switch is provided to control the-operation of the solenoid valve54. This time switch 80 is advantageously of the type that is normally open and in which a manual turning of the handle closes the switch and at the same time winds the main spring so that the timing mechanism crating position, another hydra'i'ilic' suction producing device is shown in place of the. ejector 90 of Fig. 1. There is, insteadprovided a Venturi tube 95 having an inlet portion 95 connected with the supply pipe 70, an outlet portion 31 connected with pipe 12 leading to the solenoid valve 5 and a throat 98 to which the control pipe system H is connected. The ejector 95 of Fig. l and the Venturitube 95 of Fig. 2 are equivalent suction producing devices which operate in the same way and produce the same result.

In normal operationof the apparatus, as shown in Fig. 1, the time switch 80 is in its, normal or open position, the coil 83 is de-energized and the solenoid valve 54 is closed. The water entering from the supply pipe into the injector 95 (or the Venturi tube 35) therefore finds no outlet through pi e 12 so thatthe full supply pressure is communicated through the suctionchambers 93 (or the throat 98) to the control pipe system H and thence to the pressure chambers of diaphragm valves 51, 58, 59and 65 whereby the diaphragms are forced down, thus closing the central ports. At the same time any pressure previously existing Within the control pipe 14 is relieved through the orifice 15, which in turn relieves the pressure from the pressure chambers of diaphragm valves 55 and 56, while the full pressure existing in thesupply pipe '10 is communicated to their valve chambers. This causes the diaphragrns ofvalves 55 and 55 to lift and openthe central ports. Consequently, as shown by arrowsin Fig. 1, flow of water takes place from the supply pipe 10 through diaphragm valve 55.and pipe 33 to distributor 32, then upwardly through the bed 3| of ion exchange material, thence through the collector 31 into the compartment 38, and via pipe 39, valve 55 and service pipe 18 to a point of use.

When the apparatus is used to soften water,

, the :bed 3| consists of cation exchange material charged with sodium ions. As the water passes through the bed 3| it is softened. The bed 3| expands during this upward flow to an extent which depends upon the rate of flow. At high rates of flowthe escapeof granules of ion exchange material is prevented by the collector 31 which has slots narrower than the diameter of the smallest granules. a 7

When the capacity of the bed 3| to exchange ions has been exhausted it is restored by a process known as regeneration. In order to effect regeneration the user has to do but two things;

.He places a suitable quantity of regenerant'BBinto the chamber 4| and he turns the handle of time switch 8|l, th ereby closing the switch and winding its main spring. In the case of a water softener the regenerant 85 is sodium chloride or common salt whichcomestorest on the screen 43, as shown in Fig. 2.

The closingof the timeswitchfill ener izes coil .33.; by establishing an electrical circuitthlql h wires 8 L33. and .84, thereby .open ngthe solenoid valve 54. This opening of valve 54 initiates a flow of water from the supply pipe 10 through the Venturi tube 95 (or injector 90) into the pipe 12, creating sub-atmospheric pressure in the throat 98 (or suction chamber 93) which is communicated to the control pipe system 1|. Consequently, the pressure of the supply previously prevailing in thepressurechambers of valves 51, 58, 59 and 60 is reducedto subeatmospheric pressure and the diaphragms of these valves lift and thus open their central ports. The opening of valve 55 admits .water from the supply pipe 10 into the controlpipe l4 and since the orifice is substantially smaller than the ports and pas- ,sagesof .valve .60 the pressure within control pipe 'Mrises' tosubstantially the pressure existing in the supply. pipelll and is communicated to the pressure chambers of diaphragm valves 55 and 56,"forcing their diaphragms down to close the central ports. This interrupts the flow of water through the bed 3| to use.

7 A stream of water is now discharged through pipe l6 into the head box 45;on' 'p'art coming through Venturi tube 95 (or injector 90), pipe 12 and solenoid valve 54, and the other through diaphragm valve 65, control pipe 74 and orifice F5. The head box. 45 fills up until the level therein reaches that. of pipe 5il,'any further rise in level being prevented by overflow through pipe 58 to waste. From the head box 45 two streams of water are discharged; one'through'the orifice 55 into the chamber A! and the other through orifice ll into pipe 43. The stream flowing through orifice l5 percolates through and dissolves the regenerant 85 resting on screen 43 within chamber' ll, and the practically concentrated regenerating solution thus formed flows into the pipe 44 where it is mixed with the second stream entering through orifice 41 and pipe 48. The solution is thus diluted in a predetermined proportion depending uponthe relative sizes of orifices 45 and 41. The diluteregenerating solution fiows by gravity via pipe 44, diaphragm valve 58 and pipe 39 into compartment '33, thence through the collector 3? and downward through the bed of ion exchange material 3 regenerating it. It then enters the distributor 32 and flows via pipe 33, diaphragm valve 59 and pipe 50 to waste.

After all regenerant 83 within chamber 4| has been dissolved, water continues to flow from orifice 45 through chamber 6|. The combined streams of Water discharged by orifices 45and 41 follow thesame path, that had previously been taken by dilute regenerating solution, 'rinsing spentand excessregenerant from the bed 3|;

While regeneration including rinsingof thebed 3| thus proceeds, hard water is availableto'the point of use through the open diaphragm valve 51 which establishes a direct bypass connection from the supply pipe 10 to the outlet pipe 18. The diaphragm valve 51 may, of course, be

omitted when flow of untreated water to the point of use during regeneration isnot desired. Inmany cases in whichthe installation of two units or the storage of'treated'fw'ater for use during regeneration. is impractical, especially in household installations, such bypass, however, 11s desirable since the availability, of hard water jin the event of fire, for flushing toilets, e tc.,'is preferable to having no water available'at all.

After an interval of time Which, has been predetermined to allow for complete, reg erati n and rinsing ofthe ,bed 3|,'ftheftime. switch,

' returns to and stops. in its normalioriopen positionfde-energizing theboil t3 and thus" closing the solenoid valve 54. This restores the apparatus to the service position as shown in Fig. 1.

It should be noted that in order to assure reliableclosing of the diaphragm valves 55, 56, 51 and 60 it is desirable to use springs 68, as shown, to aid the water pressure in closing these diaphragm valves, since their diaphragms encounter the full pressure of the water supply in the valve chambers 65 at the time they are called upon to close the valves. No springs are required for diaphragm valves 58 and 59, however, since there is at no time any substantial pressure in their valve chambers 65 both of which have their lateral ports 51 in permanent communication with points under atmospheric pressure. The alternate application of supply pressure and of sub-atmosphericpressure created by the hydraulic suction producing device provides adequate forces for the respective closing and opening of these two valves.

The injector inlet nozzle 9| (or Venturi throat 98) and orifice 15 are so dimensioned that their joint discharge is sufficient throughout the range of water supply pressures normally encountered to supply at least sufficient water to the head box 45 toeffect regeneration andrinsing of the bed 3| within the allotted time. Water entering the head box in excess of the discharge through orifices 46 and 41 flows via pipe 50 to waste without appreciably changing the level in the head box 45, so that the discharges through. 0 orifices 46 and 41 are constant regardless of variations in the supply pressure. Thus, the rates of flow of water used to make up regenerant solution and to dilute such solution and later to rinse out spent and excess regenerant remain constant so that regenerant concentration and a regenerant contact time are maintained at the values predetermined for greatest efiectiveness, in spite of changing operating pressures. The sizes of the orifices depend, of course, on the size of the apparatus. The diameter of the in jector inlet nozzle 9| and the Venturi throat 98 isadvantageously made between /s% and l /2% of the diameter of tank 30. Thus an injector inlet nozzle 1% inch in diameter was found satisfactory for household type water softeners 9 to 12 inches in diameter, the passage in the injector outlet nozzle being twice as large, and the passages in and leading from the pipe 12, including those through the solenoid valve 54, being at 0 least 3 and preferably 4 times greater in diameter. With such arrangement and a water supply pressure or 50 pounds per square inch the pressure within the control pipe 1| is reduced during regeneration to the order of 15 inches Hg below atmospheric. pressure which insures vreliable and quick opening of the diaphragm valves controlled by the, control pipe The diameter of orifice 15 is advantageously between 1% and 4% of the diameter of the diaphragms which it controls, an orifice diameter of 0.04 inch having been found satisfactory in conjunction with a diameter of 2 inches of the diaphragms of valves 55 and 55. With such an arrangement the closing of the diaphragm valve 60 when the apparatus is returned to service position after regeneration causes the pressure from the pressure chambers of diaphragm valves 55 and 56 to be dissipated so slowly through the orifice 15 that a measurable interval of time elapses, usually several seconds, before the valves 55 and 56 open. This is important in order to insure reliable previous closing of the diaphragm valves 58 and 59, and to avoid flooding of the chamber 4|. The slow opening of valves 55 and 55 also avoids 'scvere water hammer in the supply pipe 10 and the service pipe'l8 on return of the apparatus to the service position. i The sizes of orifices 46 and 41 will vary not only with the size ;of tank 3|l,but also with the head for which the head box45 is designed, with the time allotted to regeneration, the desired rates of flow and the quantity of regenerant and its desired concentration. 'A'san illustrative example, with a head of 2 inches a diameter of 1% inch for orifice 45' and /g" inch for orifice 41 gave satisfactory results in an apparatus which employed a tank 9 inches in diameter and containing one cubic foot of resinous cation exchange'material, andwhich was provided with a one 'and one-half hour time switch. When it is desired to regenerate the ion exchange" material with concentrated regenerant, which is advantageous' with certain types of ion exchangers. the orifice 47 may be omitted so that there is no dilution of the regenerating solution flowing from chamber 4|.

When the water supplied to pipe 15 islikely to contain impurities of a size that might clog the injector or Venturi tube 55 and the orifice 15 it is advantageous to provideon the upstream sides of these devices strainers that will retain such impurities.

'If, on return to service, the level within chamber 4| is above the pipe 52, the water above this level slowly seeps away to waste through the orifice 5|, thereby lowering the level suiiiciently to avoid an overflow of'the chamber 4| when regenerant is introduced for the next following regeneration. If the water in chamber 4| should unduly rise for any reason, it will overflow over the weir-formed by the upper end of the-wall 49 to be discharged to waste via'pipe 5B.

' Y The arrangement illustrated diagrammatically in Figs. 1 and 2 may advantageously beembodied in a construction such as that shown'in Figs. 9 to 2 3 of said Pick application Ser.- No. 40,528, and the'app'aratus can be used for ion exchange treatment other than softening, such as cation exchange on the hydrogen cycle} or anion exchange. r I The switch-for energizing the solenoid valve 54 need, or course, not be of the type shown and described. Instead, other types of switches can be used, operated either manually or automatically. In fact, the solenoid valve 54 may, if desired, be replaced by a pilot valve which is opened manually when regeneration is needed and closed when regeneration is completed, either manually orby a spring under control of a mechanical timing device. r r

In place of the diaphragm valves controlled by the suction producing device other types of pressure operated valves may be used, such as She type operated by a piston moving in a cylin- While I have shown and described what I consider the preferred embodiments, modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of my invention and reference is, therefore, made to the appended claims for a definition of the scope of my invention.

What I claim is:

l. A water treating apparatus comprising a tank for ion exchange material, a flow connection leading to one end of said tank, another flow connection leading to the other end of said tank, a pressure operated valve in each of said flow connections, each of said valves including a pressure chamber, a hydraulic suction producing dew e' s z n miden zi a dfip snc dya -t ai -5 I wa r. tratinaapp iaa c m ri i g a jaiikufor ion exchange material adapted to be theme i a .c cl q n t p ncludin ormal 'servme, and regeneration,- a regeneraint lchamber, a supply connection leading from said tank to a source of water under pressure, a di- .aphragm valve in said supply connection, an to" tlet. connection leading from saidtank, to, a pointof use, a dia'phragmvalvein said outlet .lcojnnectibn," an inlet connection leadingfrorn .said n1; tojsa i dregjenerant chamber, a diaphragm "vaive in said inlet connection, a wasteiconnection leading. from said tank to a point of disposal for aste vvater, a. diaphragm valve in said waste insap e sur a b a be r an edi close on application of pressure to said pressure "c ambe r t 'e v rs n m d sa diaphra valves contro lin ow fro Sa d Q methm said tankjto said point of use, control valve means section producing device having an inlet, 1an outletand a suction connection, said inlet having a permanent connection with said source, the pres- '-'sur chamhers ofsaid third and fourth named aphragm valves having a permanent connection with said suction connection, passage means connesti a O tle i h a point f tmosp ,pressure, other -control valve means in saidpasisas -llmanslax m an o lq ing both s i m nor valve means during normal service and "for opening both said control valve means during si e efipn- 5. The apparatus of claim 4, saidothencontrol ,tizalvam s c m ri in n min y clos d sc i-Q i lY adeb edI- pne p ner izedjccnnection, each of said diaphragm valves havticn, ;and said jfirst named control valveameans comprising adiaphragm valve having a pressure I chaifibe jin permanent communicationwith the pressure chambers of said third and fourth named diaphragm valves, and a switch for energizi-ng andde energizing said solenoid valve.

j 6, 'A; ater treating apparatus comprising a ra mva ii s;passasemeans n ct said dvtc i h i Pressurechambers a abhrc co tr w ive in. s ssa emeansanMd q.-.-adm t wa nim sa dsqur in sa d pressure chambers, arestricted :flow passage leading ,from 3 said pressure chambers to apam of atos e pr ssur w con cti 1 l a i from said tank to said regenerant chamber and I a .point of disposal for waste, a group of other diaphragm valves, one in each of said lastnamed 225- new connections and controlling flow from said regenerant chamber to said tankand fromsaid .tank to said waste connection, respectively pressure chambers for said diaphragm control valve and said group of other diaphragm valves, a hydraulicsuction producing device having an inlet, an outlet and a suction connection, said inlet .be-

ing'inpermanent communication with said seurce said suction. connection being inperinanent c ommuni cation with said lastnamed pressure 35 chambers, passage meansleading fr g m said outlet to a point of atmospheric pressure, a pilot valve insaid passage means, and means for opening and-closing said, pilot valve.

7. In the apparatus of claim 6, a head box con- .stitutingsaid points of atmospheric pressure, and

a flow; passage from said head box.,to1 said ree e a hg be ERIC RICK.

,REFERENCES CITED The. following references are ;of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

